Giants, Bills show promise and problems

Promise and problems: Giants, Bills show glimpses of each

The Hall of Fame Game is hardly an indicator of a team’s true ability, so Buffalo Bills and New York Giants fans shouldn’t draw too much from Sunday’s dress rehearsal for the rest of the preseason.

But we still saw several strong areas, and some shaky situations, on both sides. Here are three promising spots and three problematic ones for each team.

New York Giants

Promise

– Andre Williams/Rashad Jennings – Williams and Jennings didn’t get rolling until the third series, when they got to face the Bills’ backups. But both showed patience and vision and could be the boost that the Giants’ running game. Jennings was active in the short passing game, and Williams displayed more speed to the outside than expected of a short-yardage specialist.

Rookie RB Andre Williams is looking like the draft-day steal the Giants thought he was when they took him in the fourth round.

– Johnathan Hankins and Damontre Moore: The Giants’ second- and third-round draft picks in 2013 showed some impressive tools against the Bills. Hankins moved well for a 320-pounder, and Moore displayed his pass-rush tools with a sack. For both Hankins and Moore, consistency will be the key to an increased role this season.

– Zack Bowman: Bowman’s third-quarter interception of Bills quarterback Thad Lewis was gift-wrapped, but he also had a goal-line deflection that was then picked off by safety Cooper Taylor. Bowman’s NFL career has never taken off, but he adds valuable depth at cornerback in the loaded NFC East.

Problems

– Tight ends: The Giants entered the game with a logjam at tight end, and they left with little clarity. Larry Donnell earned the start but didn’t separate from the pack. A legitimate pass-catching threat would be a huge aid to an undersized receiving corps.

– The offensive line: New York’s front should be more reliable than last year’s edition, but the group will have to have be more reliable than it was on Sunday. Staying healthy will be important for an already thin unit.

– Penalties: The pure numbers aren’t terrible – 6 penalties for 49 yards throughout the game. But the Giants’ secondary repeatedly found itself flagged in the second quarter. With the NFL reportedly cracking down on defensive holding and illegal contact, New York will need to cut down on the infractions.

Buffalo Bills

Promise

– Offensive line/Seantrel Henderson – Without its top player in left tackle Cordy Glenn, the Bills’ offensive line could have had a tough opening performance. But the rookie Henderson, a seventh-round pick who some say has first-round talent, and the rest of the offensive line gave EJ Manuel and Jeff Tuel sufficient time in the pocket. Henderson won’t unseat Glenn, but he’ll be a huge comfort if he proves himself a capable backup.

Wow! @buffalobills LT Seantrell Henderson has come a long way since being drafted. Nice job so far tonight. Even @Borsilli agrees

– First-team defensive line: This should come as no surprise given the strong personnel, but the Bills were stout up front to start the game. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams beat Giants guard Geoff Schwartz for a sack and forced a fumble on Eli Manning. The group also stonewalled the Giants’ running game in its limited work.

– Marcus Easley: The Bills are loaded at wide receiver, but Easley can carve out a spot for himself with stellar special teams play. He helped himself with a blocked punt toward the end of the first half. Chris Hogan and T.J. Graham might offer more as pass catchers, but Easley has sticking power and should make the final roster.

Problems

– EJ Manuel: Manuel had about as rough of an outing as possible on Sunday. Whether it was overthrowing a receiver or having his pass batted at the line of scrimmage, the second-year signal-caller was out of sorts and finished 2-of-7 for 19 yards. Playing in the NFL’s most run-heavy offense, Manuel needs to show he can convert on third-and-long and avoid locking onto his receiver.

Big criticism on EJ Manuel has been he doesn't have quick enough eyes. Two batted balls at the line say that's not fixed.

– Second team on front seven: The backups had to go against the Giants’ first-teamers, and they didn’t make much of a case for themselves. A previously sputtering New York offense strung together a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive with several gutting runs. Rookie linebacker Preston Brown looked lost on several plays, though he later intercepted Ryan Nassib on a play that was called back.

Bills' edge guys diving inside for no reason and Giants' RBs are getting to the edge way too easy. 3rd time this drive BUF hasn't set edge

– Cyrus Kouandjio: The second-round pick from Alabama was badly beaten for a sack, resurfacing the technique issues that plagued him throughout the pre-draft process. Kouandjio has the build of a starting tackle, but lapses like this will put a cap on his playing time.

I know Kouandjio was off the board for some teams due to medicals. I have to wonder if this is an on-going issue or just poor play.